Christmas Eve 1776
December 17, 2021
With Christmas approaching, history reveals that this day has been pivotal in unexpected ways. General George Washington on December 24, 1776 encouraged his weary, under fed and under clothed soldiers to prepare to cross the Delaware River on Christmas Day attacking a stronghold of Hessians, his 2,500 against their 20,000. Icy river, then an 8-mile march by disheartened soldiers. Hours before departure excerpts of Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis, were read to the soldiers. “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country.” They were successful, against the odds.
A current parallel is our country’s crossroads, times that ‘try men’s souls. Will we yet stand on the Judeo-Christian foundation? A Savior, unpretentious babe in a manger is our inspiration.